Lung transplantation for lymphangioleiomyomatosis: role of imaging in the assessment of complications related to the underlying disease.

PURPOSE: To identify the complications and imaging findings related to lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) after lung transplantation.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories and imaging studies of 13 patients from five major medical centers who underwent unilateral (n = 8) or bilateral (n = 5) lung transplantation for LAM between 1991 and 1997. Complications related to LAM, both before and after transplantation, were recorded.

RESULTS

The following LAM-related complications were found during and after transplantation: excessive pleural adhesions (n = 4), native lung pneumothorax (n = 3), chylous effusion (n = 1), chylous ascites (n = 3), complications from renal angiomyolipomas (n = 4), and recurrent LAM (n = 1). Diagnosis could be made or suggested with computed tomography (CT) in all cases. Four patients (31%) died; one patient died of complications of LAM.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have undergone lung transplantation for LAM have increased morbidity and mortality due to complications related to their underlying disease. These LAM-related complications can be diagnosed or suggested with CT.